§ 1. Mr. Haleasked the Paymaster-General whether, in view of the recession of trade in the north-western area and elsewhere, he will give a general direction to the Central Electricity Authority to refrain from asking for large deposits as a condition precedent to the installation of electricity in new or re-equipped factories.
§ Mr. MaudlingNo. I understand that it is not the normal practice of the electricity boards to require deposits before providing supplies of electricity to new consumers.